Implement for applying stay-wires to wire fences.



Patented Nov. l4, I899. J. W. CUNNELLY.

IMPLEMENT FO'WAPPLYING STAY WIRES T0 WIRE FENCES.

(Application filed r66. 20, 1899.) (No Model.)

Invezziar M @77Z6/3 WUOWMGZZ UNTTED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JAMES W. OONNELLY, OF POPLAR GROVE, KENTUCKY.

IMPLEMENT FOR APPLYING STAY-WIRES TO WIRE FENCES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 636,763, dated November14, 1899.

Application filed February 20,1899. Serial No. 706,252. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES W. CONNELLY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Poplar Grove, in the county of Owen and State of Kentucky,have invented new and useful Improvements in Implements for ApplyingStay-Wires to Wire Fences, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an implement for applying stay-wires to wirefences, and has for its object to provide a tool of the characterdescribed which will be simple, durable, and inexpensive in constructionand efficient and expeditions in operation.

To these ends my invention consists in the features and in theconstruction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafterdescribed,and particularly pointed outin the claims following thedescription,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a portion of a fence, showing myimproved implement applied to one of the strands in position forattaching the stay-wire. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of theimplement in place on a fence-strand. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal centralsectional view thereof, and Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of thesame.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a cylindrical sleeveprovided throughout its length with a longitudinal radial slot 2. Formedcircumferentially on the sleeve are a number of ratchet-teeth 3, and theend of the sleeve adjacent to said teeth is reduced, as at 4-, andprovided with a tangential groove 5, semicircular in cross-section.

The opposite end of the sleeve is provided with two flaring prongs 6 toaid in centering the sleeve on the fence wires or strands, as will behereinafter explained, and is also provided with two or moreradially-projecting teeth 7 and 8. Rotatably fitted over the ratchetportion of the sleeve are two collars 9 and 10, respectively formed orprovided with radially-projecting handles 11 and 12, each provided withknobs 13. The collars 9 and 10 are both slotted radially to correspondwith the radial slot in the sleeve and are each provided with flaringprongs 14 and 15. In the interior of each of the collars 9 and 10 isformed a recess 23, in which is loosely arranged a wedge-shaped block24, constituting a pawl, the end of said block or pawl being held inengagement with the adjacent ratchet-teeth 3 by a coiled spring 25,seated in the recess 23 beneath the pawl. Fitted over the reduced end 4of the sleeve 1 is a Washer 16, provided with a slot 17, extending fromits center to its circumference, and said washer has formed tangentiallyin its circumference a slot 18, semicircular in crosssection. A pin 19is fitted in the slots or grooves 5 and 18 and operates to hold thewasher in place on the reduced end of the sleeve. 7

Fixed on the sleeve 1 in any suitable manner is a bracket 20, in whichis adapted to be journaled a spool of wire 21. The wirespool 21 may beremovably journaled in the bracket in many obvious different ways; butfor the purpose of illustration I have shown the spool journaled on apin 26, removably fitted in bearings 27, formed in the arms of thebracket.

The operation of my improved implement is as follows: It will beunderstood that the implement is intended to twist successively aboutthe horizontal strands of a wire fence a vertical stay-wire, asindicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. To apply the strands, the tool orimplement is straddled upon one of the horizontal strands of thefence-as, for example, the lowermost-the prongs formed on the sleeve,the handles, and the washer operating to guide the tool onto the wirestrand. The end of the Wire wound upon the spool 21 is then led aroundone of the teeth 7 or 8 and is twisted about or hitched upon thefencestrand by any suitable meansas, for example, by means of a pair ofpliers. One of the handles, as 11, is then drawn or oscillated towardthe person, thus giving a partial revolution to the sleeve and twistingthe staywire 22 about the fence-strand 24. The handle 11 is then pushedaway from the person and the handle 12 drawn forward, thus giving to thesleeve another partial revolution and imparting to the stay-wire anothertwist or convolution about the wire strand. This operation is repeateduntil a sufficient number of twists or convolutions of the stay-wirehave been formed, after which the tool or implement is removed to thenext fence-strand and the operation repeated.

By providing two teeth 7 and 8 the staywire may be wound about thefence-strand more or less tightly, as desired, for it will be obviousthat by passing the stay-wire around the tooth 8 instead of about thetooth 7 the stay-wire will be bent at a more acute angle, andconsequently will be wrapped more tightly about the fence-strand.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination witha longitudinally and radially slotted sleeve provided at one end with aradially-projecting tooth or projection, of means fixed on said sleevefor supporting a spool of wire, and means for intermittingly rotatingsaid sleeve, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a longitudinally and radially slotted sleeveprovided at one end with a radially-projecting tooth or projeetion, of asupport carried by the sleeve, a wire spool or spindle journaled in saidsupport, and means for imparting to the sleeve an intermittent rotarymovement, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination with a longitudinally and radially slotted sleeveprovided at one end with a radially-projecting tooth, of a support fixedon the sleeve and provided with bearings, a wire-reel journaled in saidbearings, and means for rotating the sleeve, substantially as described.

4:. The combination with a longitudinally and radially slotted sleeveprovided at one end with a radially-projecting tooth and having formedcircumferentially thereon a plurality of ratchet-teeth, of collarsrotatably arranged over the ratchets and each provided with pawlsarranged to engage the ratchetteeth, handles for rotating the collars,and a wire-reel supported on the sleeve, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a longitudinally and radially slotted sleeveprovided at one end with a radial] y-projectin g tooth, of a supportfixed on the sleeve and provided with bearings, a wire-reel removablyjournaled in said bearings, and means for imparting to the sleeve anintermittent rotary movement, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a longitudinally and radially slotted sleeveprovided at one end with a radially-projecting tooth and having formedcircumferentially thereon a plurality of ratchet-teeth, of collarsrotatably arranged about the ratchets and each provided with pawlsarranged to engage the ratchetteeth, handles for rotating the collars,guides carried by the sleeve and collars for guiding the implement ontothe fence-wire,and a Wirereel supported on the sleeve, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JAS. \V. CONNELLY.

fitness es:

HENRY OoATEs, W. II. AMES.

